Flint/Detroit Simulated Glass Water Heater Microcosms

A benchtop study was conducted using water from Flint and Detroit Michigan to better understand the Legionnaires Disease outbreaks caused from the change in source water in 2014. Thirty six 120 mL stained glass water heater microcosms contained PEX or copper pipe coupons aged for 8.5 years with biofilms confirmed to contain Legionella pneumophila. 50 percent water changes were conducted twice a week for 1 year with water sourced from Flint and Detroit to twenty-four and twelve jars respectively. In triplicate, Detroit Jars were split into a control group and a group dosed with ferric pyrophosphate, and Flint Jars split into control, ferric pyrophosphate, ferric chloride, and ferrous chloride. See Copper Pipe, Lack of Corrosion Control, and Very Low pH May Have Influenced the Trajectory of the Flint Legionnaires Disease Outbreak by Martin et al., 2022 and chapter 4 of Philippe Mena-Aguilar, 2021 for a more thorough description of methods.